Galaxy S24 Series vs S23 Series: Time to upgrade?

Samsung’s out with its latest 2024 flagship – the brand new Galaxy S24 Series range that includes the base model Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24+ and Galaxy S24 Ultra.

No doubt, everyone’s wondering how the S24 phone variants compare with each another but also how different (or similar) the latest S24 Series is when seen against its predecessor – the S23 range of phones.

In this article, we look at some major differences and similarities between the three S24 phones and the S23 Series. If you want an in-depth look into specific models, read our Galaxy S24 review, Galaxy S24 Plus review and Galaxy S24 Ultra review. Check out the brief overview of the Samsung S24 Series for general information.

Table of contents

• Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23: Design and material
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23: Display
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23: Camera
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23: Processor, storage and battery
• Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23 Plus
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23 Plus: Design and material
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23 Plus: Display
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23 Plus: Camera
  • Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S23 Plus: Processor, storage and battery
• Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Design and Material
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Display
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Camera
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Processor, storage and battery

The Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch screen sizeⁱ making it slightly longer than the S23 base model’s 6.1-inch. The difference is barely perceptible. The new S24 base model also weighs the same as the S23.

The Galaxy S24 boasts of a new satin finish, giving the phone a glossy look and feel. Its available in a range of colours including a delightful shade of yellow (amber yellow), classic black (Onyx black), marble grey and an alluring shade called cobalt violet.

The Galaxy S23 range of colours include cream, green, phantom black and lavender. Clearly, Samsung’s worked on differentiating the colour range with the S24 base model.

There isn’t any obvious difference when it comes to the physical design, look and feel. The S24 retains S23’s design of housing the camera unit in the back of the phone itself as opposed to in a separate bumped up area.

The screen size on the Galaxy S24 is slightly larger at 6.2-inch compared to the Samsung S23’s 6.1-inch. Samsung states the S24 screen works well even in bright light, something we’re keen to check in our S24 review.

Screen resolution on the S24 is the same as its predecessor, as is the adaptive 120 Hz refresh rate.

Not a great many differences between the S24 and S23 in the Display department.

Camera specs on the Galaxy S24 remain the same as Galaxy S23.

So, we’ve got a 50MPⁱⁱ Wide camera with a 10MP Telephoto lens and a 12MP Ultra Wide camera system at the back. In the front, we get a 12MP selfie camera.

The camera system at the back is part of the phone itself as opposed to being housed in a separate unit as was the case with the Galaxy S22.

The major callout feature of the entire Galaxy S24 series is the range of AI features they come equipped with – AI enabled Photo Assistⁱⁱⁱ editing to name one.

The S24 features the latest Exynos 2400 processor vs the S23’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The new S24’s cooling system is also an improvement over its predecessor, per Samsung, and expected to lead to better phone performance and processing capabilities.

Samsung’s been continuously improving battery performance in its base models with the new S24 at 4,000 mAh, better than Galaxy S23’s t 3,900mAh battery capacity and the Galaxy S22’s 3,700mAh.

Both the S24 and S23 offer the same set of RAM options at 8GB even though the S24 is a step up with 256GB/512GB internal storage where the S23 offers two options - 128GB and 256GB.

At 6.7-inches^iv, the Galaxy S24+ is slightly bigger than its predecessor’s 6.6-inch screen size as well as a gram heavier at 196g. Again, the difference is too small to really make a visible impact.

As with the base Galaxy S24 the Galaxy S24+ is available in amber yellow, Onyx black, marble grey and cobalt violet.

Overall, the physical design look and feel of the mid-range S24+ isn’t any different than from the S23+ in general.

The S24+ has a slightly bigger screen size than the S23+. Other than that, the S24+ features the Infinity-O Display with Dyanmic AMOLED 2x and an adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz, the same as the S23+.

The camera specs on the new S24+ remain the same as on the S23+ with a 50MP^v main camera. Even so, with a better processor, the new S24+ could show some improvements when it comes to photo processing.

The S24+ also sports some great AI photography features like Photo Assist editingⁱⁱⁱ. AI is a major theme running across all the S24 range of phones. Then there is also Nightography or night photography that deserves a mention.

As with the S24 base model, the S24+ also has a better processor - Exynos 2400 vs it’s predecessor’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. The RAM size is an improvement at 12GB with better internal storage specs of 256GB/512GB.

Battery size on the S24+ is bigger with battery capacity at 4,900mAH vs 4,700mAH. How that translates to battery life hours remains to be seen.

Time to find out how the S24 Ultra compares with the S23 Ultra?

The frame on the S24 Ultra is made with Titanium^vi, adding an element of durability and lightness to an otherwise beast of a phone and reducing the weight slightly from 234 gm to 232 gm. S24 Ultra colours include Titanium Black, Titanium Grey, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow.

In general, the design elements on both S24 Ultra and S23 Ultra are similar. While the highlight last year was Nightography, this year's Samsung puts the spotlight on some really impressive AI features^xiii. More on that in a bit.

The screen size on the S24 Ultra remains the same at 6.8-inches^viii although Samsung states the bezels around the screen are narrower, providing a slightly larger viewable area. Samsung also states the new S24 Ultra screen is brighter, clearer and more vibrant compared to the S23 Ultra and we cannot wait to test this.

The display size is also a plus point for gamers, helped by the S24 Ultra’s 120 Hz refresh rate and better processing capabilities.

The S24 Ultra dons a 200MP^ix main camera along with 10MP and 50 MP telephoto lenses and a 12MP Ultra wide lens. At the front, we have a 12MP selfie camera. While the 50MP telephoto lens is a step up from S23 Ultra, the focus with the S24 phone series is on AI with features like Photo Assist, Live Translate^xi, Note Assist^xii and more.

With Photo Assits^xiii, you can retouch and resize your photos along with erasing objects, remove reflections and do much more.

The S24 Ultra comes with the processor is Snapdragon 8 Gen3, a notch above the S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen2. The improved processor in tandem with generative AI features could make for a formidable combination – more on this in subsequent review articles.

Storage and RAM options for the S23 Ultra are available with a 12GB RAM and with storage options including 1TB, 512GB and 256 GB.

Battery capacity remains the same at 5,000mAH.

Mobile innovation never stops, with the latest Galaxy S25 Series finally landing in Australia. The new Galaxy S25 Series features new Galaxy AI tools, as well as upgraded processors and camera lenses. Check out the Galaxy S25 Ultra for a look at Samsung’s newest flagship phone.

^{i Screen size is 6.2 inches in the full rectangle. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.}

^{ii 50MP camera is only supported in rear camera.}

^{iii Generative AI may unintentionally add unwanted content to your output or otherwise generate unexpected results.}

^{iv Screen size is 6.7 inches in the full rectangle. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.}

^{v 50MP camera is only supported in rear camera.}

^{vi Titanium is used in the frame of the Galaxy S24 Ultra (but does not include volume and side keys or SIM tray).}

^{viii Screen size is 6.8 inches in the full rectangle. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and camera hole.}

^{ix 200MP camera is only supported in rear camera.}

^{xi Network connection and Samsung Account required. Currently limited to select languages only. See website samsung.com/au/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/ for full list of available languages. Live Translate feature must be enabled and language package must be downloaded prior to use. Only available on the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Translation might not be accurate.}

^{xiii Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by AI features. Galaxy AI features will be provided free of charge until the end of 2025 on supported Samsung Galaxy devices. The use of some AI features provided by third parties may require a service fee.}